Donald Eugene Smalley completed his mission in this life on July 27, 2025 and enlisted in the service of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Don was born on October 2, 1942 at St. Anthony Hospital in Dodge City, Kansas. He was the second of three sons born to Hubert and Lelah (Thorpe) Smalley.

Don grew up in Dodge City, attended Dodge City schools, and graduated from high school with the class of 1960. Following graduation, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the early years of the Vietnam War as a navy torpedo-man assigned to a hunter-killer task force, the only task force of its kind in the Pacific at the time. Don advanced in rank in the shortest time possible to Petty Officer 2nd class (E-5) and received an honorable discharge on October 13, 1966.

Don married Donna Lynne Swanson on July 17, 1966, and to this union two children were born; Gayla in 1968 and Todd in 1970. Donna passed away following a lengthy battle with cancer on July 30, 1978.

After earning an AA degree in criminal justice, Don was accepted as a trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol in 1972. Earning a score of 97.99, he was the only one of the top 10 out of 1,170 applicants to be offered a position in class 7 which consisted of 26 troopers. Don advanced through the ranks of trooper, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain, spending his last eight years in command of Northwest Kansas. He served the people of Kansas as an officer and instructor for 31 years.

On April 20, 1979, Don married the lady who became his life partner and best friend, Bonnie Marie Roesener. A son Bradley was added to the family in 1980.

Following Don's retirement, the family relocated to a farm south of Dodge City. On September 14, 2019, at the Kansas State Fair, Don was presented a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his military service. In October 2021 Don was selected for an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Upon the return the group was met with an honor guard and reception they never received when returning from Vietnam.

Don was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Dodge City. He had served five years on the church council including two years as chairman. He was also a member of American Legion Post 47.

Don is survived by his wife of 46 years, Bonnie; a daughter, Gayla (Curt) Herrman; sons, Todd Smalley and Bradley (Savannah) Smalley; grandchildren, Sheridan, Sam, Jackson, Wesley, Megan (Seth) LaCrone, Aubrey Clark (Jeff), Jeremy (Shannon) Clark; and a brother, Rick (Sharon) Smalley. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Donna; and a brother, Dean.

Funeral service will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM with Pastor David Johnson presiding. Burial will follow at Christ the King Lutheran Cemetery in Ford County with funeral honors provided by the United States Navy Honor Guard, Southwest Kansas Veteran's Funeral Honors, and the Kansas Highway Patrol Honor Guard.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Thursday, July 31, 2025 from noon to 8:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 5-7 PM.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Christ the King Cemetery Fund or Kansas Honor Flight, Inc. in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.